the infinite power of gratitude

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

Prof. Onie SungahidProf. Onie SungahidAlternative Education for Human

Transformation

City of Mati, Davao Oriental


"What if you gave someone a gift, and theyneglected to thank you for it--would you be likelyto give them another? Life is the same way. Inorder to attract more of the blessings that life hasto offer, you must truly appreciate what you alreadyhave." --Ralph Marsto

We believe gratitude is one of the most powerfulspiritual tools at your disposal. Gratitude, insteadof resentment, helps you cope with life's challengesbetter, magnifies optimism, eases depression,increases happiness, makes you feel more in control,helps you achieve a higher level of well-being, andhelps you feel like you are in the right place atthe right time..


What are you grateful for? When you dropexpectations of the way things "should" be andexpress more gratitude, your life will improve.We've found that being grateful can even dramaticallytransform your life, within the boundaries of yourpersonal fate . .


For example, if you feel stuck in a major rut, ratherthan resist, be grateful for the situation's hiddenopportunities. Accepting what you can't change andbeing grateful for where you are in life will allowyou to free yourself from the mental bondage and rise above the mundane challenges. Before you know it,you'll be having more fun and be able to move beyond,or at least more easily deal with, that particularlife test.


Be grateful for the following: the opportunity to be

alive on Earth and to live where you do; choices in

your life; the ability to communicate; the abilityto think; the ability to read; the ability to express

yourself; the ability to love; your health; your relationship or single status; your kids if you

have them; your parents, relatives, friends, family,

andpets.


Let's remember to be grateful for the sun; flowers; gardens; green grass; trees; beautiful landscaping;nature; the forests; the deserts; the plains; theoceans; the ability to swim in the ocean; the beach;spring; summer; fall; and even winter.


Be grateful for your work, employees, boss,transportation, home, furniture, clothing, andyour comfortable bed at night.


To make the most of your gratitude, we suggest you bond it to another dynamic spiritual energy: faith. Gratitude and faith can be used together as one of the most potent spiritual forces available to you, even when things are not going the way you had hoped they would. Cultivate the use of these forces as often as you can and then watch your life change for the better.